Thin retroreflective marker for data storage cartridge

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for a data storage disk drive has a thin retroreflective marker. Light from a source is reflected from the marker almost exactly on its incident path. A planar light shaping optical structure such as a holographic light shaping diffuser (LSD) ruled or blazed diffraction grating, holographic diffraction grating, binary optics or holographic diffraction grating directs light to the detector. The LSD has degrees of angular diffusion in different orthogonal axes. This property makes possible unique identification of different types of cartridges.

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/388,242 filed Feb. 14, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,228 which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a marker for identifying an object in a system which includes a source of irradiance and a detector of light reflected from the marker. More particularly, the present invention relates to a removable data storage cartridge and to a data storage drive for receiving the cartridge. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to detecting the presence of the correct disk cartridge in the data storage drive by use of a retroreflective marker on the cartridge.

2. Description of the Prior Art and the Problems Solved by the Invention

Disk drives for receiving removable disk cartridges, including conventional 3.5" floppy disk drives, must have some mechanism for detecting the insertion or presence of a disk cartridge in the drive. The actuator that carries the recording heads of the disk drive across the recording surfaces of the disk should not be allowed to move unless the presence of a disk cartridge is detected. In the prior art, mechanical switches are typically employed to detect the presence of a disk cartridge within the drive. Such switches are typically positioned such that when a disk cartridge is inserted fully into the drive, the cartridge contacts the switch, thereby providing an indication that the disk cartridge is present.

The above identified parent application entitled "Retroreflective Marker for Data Storage Cartridge" describes the reflection of a highly concentrated quasi circular lobe of light whose spread on reflection is captured by the aperture of a phototransistor in close proximity to a light emitting diode (LED). This emitter/detector pair is in the drive and a retroreflective array is on the cartridge. The desired light lobe size is provided by the geometric size of the retroreflector array elements relative to the spacing of the emitter and the detector in the drive. Due to this physical size matching and the fact that retroreflectors are used, this marker on the cartridge is quite insensitive to cartridge tilt and distance from the emitter/detector pair in the drive.

Recently, very small mini-cartridges have been developed for use in miniature disc drives. These mini-drives are incorporated into hand-held devices such as digital cameras, electronic books, global positioning systems, cellular phones and the like. "INTERCHANGEABLE CARTRIDGE DATA STORAGE SYSTEM FOR DEVICE PERFORMING DIVERSE FUNCTIONS", Ser. No. 08/746,085 filed Nov. 11, 1996, Edwards, et al. (U.S. Ser. No. 08/746,085) describes such mini-cartridges, mini-drives, and hand-held devices. This application is incorporated herein by reference.

The mini-cartridge's data storage disk has a total thickness of about 2.5 mm. As disk storage products become smaller and smaller the need for a cartridge marker of thinner physical size is required. The aforementioned mini-cartridge has such a requirement. The present invention provides a solution to this requirement while maintaining the functionality of the retroreflector invention.

The ability to discriminate between cartridge types after insertion into a data storage device but prior to putting the read/write heads on the recording media is of significant value and utility. Principally this utility comes from the ability to detect the difference between various capacities or generations of data storage cartridges in a downward media compatible data storage drive. This discrimination capability allows for drive/media specific adjustments to be made such as media rotation rate, data channel rates, location of Z track for initial seeking, or even mechanical adjustment in the drive like the active engagement of new crash stop locations.

A "caddy" cartridge, as mentioned in the aforementioned Edwards, et al. application provides cross drive platform compatibility, for example between mini-cartridges and personal computer cartridges. The ability to recognize the installation of a "caddy" into the drive prior to spinning up of the "caddy" and loading of heads is necessary. Again rotational speed adjustments, Z track location information, data channel rate and crash stop/ID and OD data track location information must be determined prior to read/write head loading. This invention provides a solution of these problems also.

Another problem associated with the detection of LED light reflected from any reflective material is the occurrence of illuminance hot spots or structure in the LED output which often results in uneven illumination of the cartridge marker. Since these are typically randomly located the effect on the amplitude of the reflected return is variable. A smoothing or homogenizing of reflected light in this type of system would be a significant improvement in system to system reliability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an object such as a data storage cartridge has an identifying marker which includes a very thin sheet of plastic retroreflective material. The marker reflects irradiance from a source back toward the source for detection by a detector to thereby identify the object as being suitable for use in the system.

The use of a very thin retroreflective material such as Reflexite (0.006" period) causes reflection of almost all of the light back into the source LED. In accordance with the invention a planer surface relief optical structure is placed in front of the retroreflective material. This element provides the appropriate redirection upon reflection of the light to the location of the light sensing detector.

The term "planar surface relief optical structure (PSROS) refers to thin substrates such as optically clear plastic or glass which have one or both of their surfaces modified from planar to one of texture or varying thickness. These surface relief structures can produce diffractive or refractive reshaping of the incident wavefront of light. Ruled or holographic diffraction gratings, for example are planar surface relief devices. Other names for planar surface relief structures include binary optics and holographic light shaping diffusers. Typical methods for providing this texturing or relief patterning is the use of mechanical ruling engines for the ruled gratings and photolithographic techniques for holographic diffraction gratings. Mass production of these master planar surface relief optical structures includes embossing, casting injection modeling, and thermal transfer techniques. Mass produced PSROS are typically made of plastic.

In the embodiments of this invention the PSROS is configured such that after the emitting light source wavefront is transmitted through the PSROS in one direction and reflected off the micro retroreflective structure and then again retransmitted through the PSROS the aggregate effect on the wavefront is to reshape it such that light is brought back to a predetermined location where a light detector is placed. This detector has a fixed location and orientation relative to the light emitter. This location and orientation remain a constant within the effective cone angle of the retroreflective array material no matter where the retroreflective marker is placed in a lateral plane which is a fixed distance from the retroreflective marker as long as the lateral angular orientation between the light source/detectors and the marker remains fixed. As the marker is rotated laterally relative to the emitter/detectors the reflected wavefronts orientation also rotates in unison.

Use of a light diffusing surface relief hologram provides this function. A reflected ellipse of light is sent back toward the emitter/detectors with a predetermined orientation relative to the emitter and hence a detector is placed appropriately such that this light may be detected to determine marker presence. Due to the reflection orientation or geometric location of this light the type of marker being used may be detected. Hence there is detection with a high signal to noise level and discrimination between types of markers due to geometric orientation.

Another embodiment of this invention uses a planar surface relief diffraction grating or a pair of these elements (blazed grating and a holographic grating) to reshape the wavefront such that the reflected light is brought back as a spot or multiple spots to one or multiple detectors such that both the detection and discrimination functions or utilities are obtained.

A surface relief holograph is produced by holographic construction of randomized refractive structures. These micron size features are able to provide a high efficiency diffusion element which can be directionally oriented. The degree of angular diffusion in orthogonal axes can be made to be different by using this technique. By use of the hologram a significant amount of the reflected light is directed into the aperture of the detector.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the retroreflective material is laminated on the cartridge and the holographic material is laminated over the retroreflector. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a plastic sheet is formed with the retroreflector on one surface and the hologram on the opposite surface.

Further in accordance with the invention, the PSROS is a light shaping diffuser which homogenizes the reflection of light even if the illumination profile is quite irregular. Hot spots in the light output are obliterated. Further in accordance with the invention, the PSROS can provide wavefront reshaping using diffractive or refractive manipulation of the light using one or more of the many subset PSROS techniques such as holographic light shaping diffusers, ruled or blazed diffraction grating, binary optics, holographic diffraction grating or micro refractive lens array technology.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following more detailed description and appended claims.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the data storage cartridge of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device having a mini-disk drive of the type in which the invention is used;

FIG. 3 shows of how the mini- disk drive of FIG. 2 is compatible with a disk drive in a personal computer system;

FIG. 4 is a photomicrograph of a retroreflective material suitable for use in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 5A-5C depict the reflection of light from a smooth surface, from a rough surface, and from a retroreflector, respectively;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C show a plan view, an edge view and an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8A-8C respectively show top, side and edge views of an emitter/detector pair positioned in the drive to detect the retroreflective marker;

FIGS. 9A-9D show top, edge, and sideviews and an electrical schematic of an emitter/detector system suitable for use in the drives; and

FIGS. 10A-10D show the descriminatable retroreflective states using a LED/detector system such as that of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-3 show the cartridge and the disk drive to which the present invention is applicable. The cartridge and drive are described in the co-pending application entitled "Interchangeable Cartridge Data Storage Device For Performing Diverse Functions", Ser. No. 08/746,085, filed Nov. 6, 1996 (U.S. Ser. No. 08/746,085). This disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

The disk cartridge 10 comprises an outer casing 12 and a diskshaped recording medium 14 which is affixed to a hub 16 that is rotatably mounted in the casing 12. An opening on the bottom shell of the casing 12 provides access to the disk hub 16. A head access opening in the front peripheral edge 18 of the disk cartridge 10 provides access to the recording surfaces of the disk by the recording heads of a disk drive.

In accordance with the present invention, a retroreflective marker, or tag, 20 is positioned on the cartridge to be detected by the detector in the disk drive.

FIG. 2 shows a lap top computer 22 which has a mini-disk drive 24 for receiving the disk cartridge 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows how a caddy 26 provides forward compatibility to a host computer 28. Caddy 26 adapts the mini-cartridge 10 to a personal computer drive 30. The drive 30 may be the lomega ZIP drive which is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,891, entitled Apparatus for Performing Multiple Functions in a Data Storage Device Using a Single Electro-Mechanical Device.

The retroreflective marker 20 on the mini-cartridge 10 must be very thin in order for the cartridge to fit in the thin form factor of the mini drive. In order to obtain a much thinner form factor for this cartridge, a thin sheet of plastic retroreflective material is used in the principle embodiment of this invention. Material suitable for use is described in Jacobs, S. F. "Experiments with retrodirective arrays," Optical Engineering. Vol. 21 No. 2, March/April 1982, and in Reflexite Corporation Brochure NA2020, Pub. 4/93. "Reflectors for Photoelectric Controls." One suitable material is referred to as Reflexite. It has corner cube retroreflectors with a nominal size or diameter of 0.006". There are about 47,000 retroreflectors per square inch of material. Although Reflexite is presently preferred, any dimensionally small retroreflective material can be used. FIG. 4 shows a photo micrograph of the miniature corner cube retroreflective material.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate retroreflection versus other modes of reflection. As shown in FIG. 5A, a smooth reflector will reflect light at an angle equal to the angle of incidence. As shown in FIG. 5B, a rough or specular reflector reflects light in all directions. FIG. 5C depicts retroreflection wherein light from the emitter/detector system 32 is reflected from retroreflective marker 20 back toward the emitter/detector system 32. The corner cube structure of the reflectors on the marker 20 returns or reflects the light back at the emitting light source. The size of the retroreflector for these near field reflections (short working distances) has a dominant effect on the size of the reflected lobe of light seen back at the emitting source. For this application this lobe needs to be large enough to encompass the aperture of the detector in close proximity to the light source (LED). In the Zip drive this distance is on the order of 0.070". The width or size of the ZIP cartridge retroreflectors is 0.094" thereby providing sufficient overlap of returned light into the aperture of the detector. However, the thin retroreflective marker used on the mini cartridge will direct light back onto the emitter without illuminating the detector. If material of the dimensional size of Reflexite is used for the retroreflective marker almost all of the light from the LED is reflected back into the emitting aperture of the LED and none is incident onto the aperture of the detector. In order to appropriately redirect a significant portion of the reflected light into the aperture of the detector (phototransistor) a planar surface relief optical structure 34, is placed in front of the retroreflective material 36, as is shown in FIG. 6B. Holographic light shaping diffusers, ruled or blazed diffraction gratings, binary optics, holographic diffraction gratings or micro refractive lens arrays will perform the function of redirecting light into the aperture of the detector.

A surface relief hologram is produced by holographic construction of randomized refractive structures. These micron size features are able to provide a high efficiency diffusion element which can be directionally oriented. The degree of angular diffusion in orthogonal axes can be made to be different using this technique. Diffusion angles between 0.2 degrees and 100 degrees in either axis are possible. These light shaping diffusers are referred to as LSDs. The refractive nature of the LSD provides the broadband functionality. Diffraction devices are much more wavelength sensitive. Film type surface relief holographic technology also provides broad spectral band performance. The same marker will work equally well with a red LED or a near-IR LED. LSD's which are suitable for use are described in Leaner, JM, She, R., Petersen, J., "Holographic Light Shaping Diffuses," presented at: The Aerospace Lighting Institute, Advanced Seminar, Feb. 1994, Los Angeles, Calif. and in Physical Optics Corporation Brochure JL1-493, "Light Shaping Diffusers."

By placing an LSD 34 in front of the retroreflective material the size and orientation of the reflected distribution of light can be controlled quite accurately. This distribution of reflected light at the emitter/detector pair is a function of both the diffusion angle of the LSD and the distance between this reflective marker and the emitter/detector pair.

FIGS. 6A-6C show a thin marker which, in one embodiment, is only 0.4 mm thick. Thinner embodiments are possible using different types of optical films. The embodiment shown in 6A-6C uses an optically clear adhesive to laminate the LSD film 34 to the Reflexite film 36. Another embodiment, shown in FIG. 7, has kilo only one sheet of thin plastic. The LSD 38 is embossed on one side and the micro-retroreflective array 40 is embossed on the other side.

The figures in the Physical Optics Corporations Brochure JL1-493 "Light Shaping Diffusers" illustrate the homogenizing effect of the LSD on a structured illuminance source. An LSD in combination with the Reflexite material provides not only an accurately placed distribution of light, but also it provides a homogenized reflection of the LED light source even if there is significant structure in its illumination profile. Hot spots in the output are obliterated.

FIGS. 8A-8C show the layout of a suitable emitter/detector pair 32 which includes LED 34 and phototransistor 36.

Because the diffusion angles of the LSD can be made significantly different from one axis to another an elliptical distribution of light can be redirected back at the detector. The figures in the Physical Optics Corporation Brochure also illustrate this bi-axial differential diffusion ability. This ability in combination with the addition of more than one detector element in close proximity to the LED emitter allows for detection of the spatial orientation of the marker's reflected light and hence cartridge type discrimination.

FIGS. 9A-9D depict an emitter/detector system which includes two detectors 37 and an emitter 35. FIG. 9D depicts the electrical components with the legends E for emitter, C for collector, A for anode, and K for cathode. The "emitter/detector system" includes two light detectors (phototransistors) 37 which are on orthogonal axes in close proximity to the LED light source 35.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate the three possible detectable or discriminatable states using the two (2) orthogonally placed detectors. State 1 is shown in FIG. 10A, state 2 in FIG. 10B and state 3 in FIG. 10C. FIG. 10D shows the legend for the reflected light distributions in FIGS. 10A-10C. An example of the application of this three state system would be in a future higher capacity ZIP drive. "State 1" would alert to the insertion of a ZIP 100 cartridge, "State 2" would alert to the insertion of a ZIP 200+ cartridge and, "State 3" would alert to the insertion of a mini-cartridge "caddy".

Addition of a third detector element allows for the detection and discrimination of 7 possible states. Any number of multiple detectors arrayed around the light emitting source provide an exponentially increasing number of descriminatable states.

In one embodiment which has been described, the hologram produces an elongated pattern of illumination by orientation of the angle of diffusion. Alternatively, the reflected light might be a spot or multiple spots oriented relative to the emitter in a desired manner to provide appropriate detection and discrimination functionality or utility.

While particular embodiments have been shown and described various modifications may be made. The appended claims are, therefore, intended to cover all embodiments within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for a data storage drive which has a source of irradiance and a detector of said irradiance for determining whether the cartridge is suitable for use in said drive, said cartridge comprising:a body; a data storage medium in said body; and a marker on said body, said marker being a thin sheet of plastic retroreflective material which reflects irradiance from said source back toward said source for detection by said detector which thereby identifies said cartridge as being suitable for use in that drive.
 2. The cartridge recited in claim 1 wherein said retroreflective material has periodic elements which reflect light upon its incident path, the width of each periodic element being about 0.006".
 3. The cartridge recited in claim 2 wherein said retroreflective material has approximately 47,000 periodic elements per square inch.
 4. The cartridge recited in claim 1 further comprising a planar surface relief optical structure in the path of said irradiance back toward said source.
 5. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said marker is laminated on said body and said optical structure is laminated on said marker.
 6. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said optical structure is a white light hologram.
 7. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said optical structure is a surface relief hologram.
 8. The cartridge recited in claim 7 wherein said hologram produces an elliptical pattern of light.
 9. The cartridge recited in claim 7 wherein said hologram is a surface relief hologram constructed of random refractive structures.
 10. The cartridge recited in claim 9 wherein said structures provide a directionally oriented defusion element.
 11. The cartridge recited in claim 10 wherein said hologram produces an elongated pattern of illumination by orientation of the angle of defusion.
 12. The cartridge recited in claim 11 wherein said angle of defusion is between 0.2 and 100°.
 13. The cartridge recited in claim 12 wherein the orientation of the hologram on the cartridge uniquely identifies said cartridge by the orientation of the elongated pattern of light.
 14. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said marker is a plastic film having a retroreflective pattern embossed on one surface thereof and having said optical structure embossed on the opposite surface thereof.
 15. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said planar surface relief optical structure is a holographic light shaping diffuser.
 16. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said planar surface relief optical structure is a ruled diffraction grating.
 17. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said planar surface relief optical structure is a blazed diffraction grating.
 18. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said planar surface relief optical structure includes binary optics.
 19. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said planar surface relief optical structure is a holographic diffraction grating.
 20. The cartridge recited in claim 4 wherein said planar surface relief optical structure is a micro refractive lens array.
 21. The cartridge recited in claim 1 wherein said reflector is a retroreflective material which has periodic elements which reflect light upon its incident path and wherein said optical structure expands reflective irradiance into a pattern beyond the pattern of incident light.
 22. A cartridge for a data storage drive which has a source of irradiance and a detector of said irradiance for determining whether the cartridge is suitable for use in said drive, said cartridge comprising:a body; a data storage medium in said body; and a marker on said body, said marker being a thin sheet of plastic retroreflective material which reflects irradiance from said source back toward said source for detection by said detector which thereby identifies said cartridge as being suitable for use in that drive, and; a planar surface relief optical structure in the path of said irradiance back toward said source.
 23. A cartridge for a data storage drive which has a source of irradiance and a detector of said irradiance for determining whether the cartridge is suitable for use in said drive, said cartridge comprising:a body; a data storage medium in said body; a marker on said body, said marker being a thin sheet of plastic retroreflective material which reflects irradiance from said source back toward said source for detection by said detector which thereby identifies said cartridge as being suitable for use in that drive; and a light shaping diffuser in the path of said irradiance back toward said source.
 24. The combination of a data storage drive and a cartridge for said drive, said drive comprising:a source of irradiance; a detector of reflected irradiance; and means for enabling said drive when reflected irradiance exceeds a predetermined level, said cartridge comprising:a body; a data storage medium in said body; and a retroreflective marker on said cartridge, said marker being a thin sheet of plastic retroreflective material which reflects irradiance from said source back toward said source, said detector being connected to enable said means for enabling said disk drive when light from said retroreflective marker exceeds a predetermined level.
 25. The combination recited in claim 24 wherein said retroreflective material has periodic elements which reflect light upon its incident path, the width of said periodic elements being about 0.006".
 26. The combination recited in claim 25 wherein each periodic element is a corner cube which reflects light with an annular profile.
 27. The combination recited in claim 24 further comprising a planar surface relief optical structure in the path of said irradiance reflected back toward said source.
 28. The combination recited in claim 27 wherein said optical structure is a surface relief hologram.
 29. The combination recited in claim 28 wherein said surface relief hologram is constructed of random refractive structures.
 30. The combination recited in claim 29 wherein said structures provide a directionally oriented defusion element.
 31. The combination recited in claim 30 wherein said hologram produces an elongated pattern of illumination by orientation of the angle of defusion.
 32. The combination recited in claim 31 wherein the orientation of the hologram on the cartridge uniquely identifies said cartridge by the orientation of the elongated pattern of light.
 33. The combination of claim 32 further comprising:a plurality of said detectors arranged to detect the orientation of said elongated pattern of light whereby the illumination of particular ones of said detectors identifies the type of cartridge.
 34. The combination recited in claim 24 wherein said retroreflective marker is an indicator of whether the cartridge is correct and compatible for use in said drive.
 35. The combination recited in claim 24 wherein said marker indicates whether the cartridge is write protected.
 36. The combination recited in claim 24 wherein said hologram produces an elliptical pattern of light so that at least a portion of said elliptical pattern impinges on said detector. 